Olympics 2008: Great Britain's 27 gold medal-winning Olympians reveal their hopes and dreams for the year ahead | Sport | The Guardian 'In 2009 I am determined to moisturise more' Great Britain's 27 gold medal-winning Olympians reveal their hopes and dreams for the year ahead Bradley Wiggins says he is not one for New Year's resolutions. Photograph: Nick Potts/PA Tuesday 30 December 2008 16.38 EST First published on Tuesday 30 December 2008 16.38 EST Athletics Christine Ohuruogu 400 metres 'I'd like to put aside more time for just watching TV. In the past couple of months things have got really hectic and you don't realise how much time you don't have to yourself. It is pretty hard to have to go back into full-time training so it is good to give yourself a chance to rest and chill out as well' Boxing James DeGale 69-75kg 'I'm going to try not to speed in my new Range Rover Sport.

I'm training twice a day and it feels nice to be sweating again and have my heart pumping. I'm pleased to be back in the gym and I'm looking forward to my first professional fight in February' Cycling Victoria Pendleton Sprint 'I'm going to give myself time to chill out and do my nails – a bit more Vicky time, because I'm not very good at that at the moment. That's not necessarily because of the Olympics, it's just generally the type of person that I am. I never schedule in enough time for me to do the things I want to do' Bradley Wiggins Individual pursuit, Team pursuit 'I've nothing in mind at the moment. I never have had any. I think it's just a load of rubbish, to be honest. No one ever keeps up their New Year's resolutions' Ed Clancy Team pursuit 'I'm going to watch more TV. My coach is always getting on to me because a big part of our training is resting. The more time we can rest on the sofa when we're not training is obviously beneficial.

I'm into my toys and I've got a few motorbikes and mountain bikes and I'm always a bit restless and running around, doing things' Paul Manning Team pursuit 'I don't really do New Year's resolutions. I just think it's best to get on with your life. I have retired from cycling and I am starting a new job in the New Year, working for the company building the velodrome for the 2012 Olympics – so that's my big change for the year. I am approaching it with a little bit of trepidation because it is such a change, but I still keep in touch with the guys from the cycling team' Geraint Thomas Team pursuit 'I'm just keen to get back to being a proper athlete – training and cycling and just doing what I do best. I'm heading out to my base in Tuscany, Italy, in January, where I live and race and train. Not such a bad life, is it?' Rebecca Romero Individual pursuit 'I'm going to get some new hobbies and interests, because I've committed the last 2½ years so intently to what I've been doing in sport.

I've been saying for the last four years that I'm going to learn to speak Spanish properly because I'm half Spanish and I'd love to be able to speak it a bit better and get out and visit my family a bit more' Jason Kenny Team sprint 'I don't smoke, I don't drink too much and I don't need to go on a diet, so I'm really struggling to come up with a New Year's resolution. I suppose it couldn't do any harm if I did a bit more training' Jamie Staff Team sprint 'I have just bought myself an acoustic guitar so my resolution is to find the time out from training to practise playing the guitar and stick with it' Chris Hoy Team sprint, Keirin, Sprint 'It would be great to be able to find more time to spend with my friends and family – the last year has just been a blur' Nicole Cooke 'It may seem a little strange, but in 2009 I am determined to moisturise more' Rowing Zac Purchase Lightweight double sculls 'The same as every year, which is not to have a New Year's resolution.

I just get on with it and when you want to do something just do it, no excuses, and if you want to quit something just quit it there and then – don't wait for January' Mark Hunter Lightweight double sculls 'I don't think I could give anything up because life is really good at the moment. My plan is to just keep living my dream in California, and enjoy Vegas while celebrating New Year. I'm loving my job coaching rowing at UCLA [University of California, Los Angeles], the lifestyle out there is just amazing, so my other resolution is to keep sunbathing on the beach' Andy Hodge Coxless fours 'To not forget how hard it was. Looking forward to the next four years it is important to remember how hard we trained to achieve what we did in Beijing. It's quite easy to look back and think 'we won the gold medal so we can slacken off' and forget how hard it was' Tom James Coxless fours 'To get organised. I've had three months of unconstructive – but you could say necessary – time off. I'm taking some time out of rowing before I come back next autumn.

I'm going to do a marathon, some strengthening and conditioning and will bulk up a little bit. I'm just going to enjoy myself – I played rugby for the first time in about 10 years last week, but I was really annihilated. I had no speed in running or coordination, even something like falling was incredibly awkward' Peter Reed Coxless fours 'To stay in touch more with my brother and sister – we're all in the same country, but we're all very busy. The important things in my life are my family, my girlfriend and training. My brother wants to be an Olympian in 2012, in the cycling team. He's got his foot in the door now, he's extremely talented but it's just being noticed' Steve Williams Coxless fours 'I'm sorry, but I have absolutely no intentions of making any New Year's resolutions. I can't think of anything and if you can't think of a resolution you clearly shouldn't make one up for the sake of it' Tim Brabants K-1 1000m kayaking 'To get a job.

I didn't apply for a new job at my last hospital when my previous contract ran out because I knew I'd be going back into full-time sport. I hope to get a job as an accident and emergency doctor in the Nottingham area. Training is just going to be once a day, or whenever I can muster the motivation and energy outside of work and then in February 2010, if I keep my body ticking over until then [and] hit training hard again from there' Sailing Iain Percy Star class 'Celebrating should definitely be on the list of things to cut out. If it wasn't for London I might consider calling it a day with two gold medals – but London is such a massive pull, to be doing it back home, and me and Andrew [Simpson] are really fired up. To get back into training is my New Year's resolution, really. Physically, I'm back in training, but to get back out on the water in New Zealand with Team Origin in preparation for the America's Cup is my resolution' Andrew Simpson Star class 'From January the really hard work starts – getting back in the boat, getting fit and no more drinking and getting back on with the job.

I can imagine all the guys are in the same boat, no pun intended – crack on and get on with it and get back to normal' Paul Goodison Laser class 'I'd love to try and make it into the Sheffield United team but I don't think my skills are quite up to it, so it will be just back to the sailing. I've only sailed once or twice since the Olympics as I've been taking time out to really appreciate what we've done. The biggest bad habit I have to rectify is losing my gym routine and also my diet, I've been a bit slack and put on a bit of weight' Ben Ainslie Mixed finn 'To get back into fitness training. I haven't had any time to do that since the Games and it doesn't feel great, to be honest. It's been quite a busy time since Beijing, probably even busier than it was before. I've been doing some racing but not in the Olympic classes, more match racing which is along the lines of the America's Cup, which takes place in 2010 and is the next real goal' Sarah Ayton Yngling class 'To begin dieting in earnest. It's about time I kick-started my Olympic diet.

In the build-up to and during the Olympics all three of us were on a pretty strict diet to ensure we were at an optimum weight for the Yngling. Since returning from Beijing I have got married and been on my honeymoon' Pippa Wilson Yngling class 'Between training and competing and the post-Beijing events and celebrations I really would like more time for myself. Two things I really want to do are to read more, nothing in particular but just a variety of books, and also I would love to learn a language' Sarah Webb Yngling class 'To read more, in particular history books on different countries. The second thing is perhaps a little more optimistic and more of a challenge, but no less enjoyable: I really want to do one thing per month to encourage more kids to take up a sport' Swimming Rebecca Adlington 400m freestyle, 800m freestyle 'I've always been this energetic, go-go-go person who has done everything for herself, so in 2009 I am going to ask for help. I want to learn to relax and be patient.

I've never really asked people for things but now I'm living on my own for the first time I will be asking for assistance from my parents and my boyfriend. For example, I will be asking my parents to sort out my council tax! As for the swimming, I will be concentrating on the world championships, because I didn't do well in 2007' Panasonic, worldwide Olympic Games partner and Team GB sponsor, has rewarded each of the gold medal-winning Olympians and Paralympians from Beijing with a 32in Panasonic Viera television with HD Freesat built in and a Blu-ray player. More details at panasonic.co.uk/olympicgames Compiled by Mikey Stafford BBC SPORT | Olympics | Rowing | GB duo win first lightweight gold GB duo win first lightweight gold Cannot play media. Sorry, this media is not available in your territory. Purchase and Hunter grab lightweight rowing gold Zac Purchase and Mark Hunter won Great Britain's first ever lightweight Olympic rowing medal and made it gold. The lightweight double scull completed an unbeaten season as they eased ahead with 600m gone and held off Greece. World champions Denmark were third.

There was disappointment for GB's lightweight four - the defending world champions - who finished fifth. But Team GB ended the Olympic regatta as top nation with six medals in all - two gold, two silver and two bronze. It bettered their Athens haul of four (one gold) and their conservative pre-Games target of four medals of any colour. On Sunday there were also silvers for the women's quadruple scull and men's eight. BBC OLYMPICS BLOG BBC Sport's Matt Slater "We've had an excellent regatta," said Team GB's rowing leader David Tanner. "Twenty-three athletes won medals which is more than half the rowing team and we've had our best results in a long time." Hunter had to receive medical attention after clinching gold - his first in international rowing, eight years after he first joined Great Britain's senior squad and 13 years after his first junior appearance. "I'm in a bit of a daze," he admitted. "National anthem, flag it's a dream come true." Cannot play media. Sorry, this media is not available in your territory. Gold medal joy for exhausted scullers Purchase, who was holding his partner upright, added: "It was unbelievable.

"We knew they would come back but we put the work in early so we could hold on at the finish." Hunter's father Terry, who coached his son as a youngster, was clearly overjoyed. He told BBC Sport: "He's worked 15 years. When he got his first international vest, he said, 'My dream is to be on that podium with a medal,' and he's won gold." In the following race, Great Britain's lightweight four were unable to match the double's feats. Richard Chambers, James Lindsay-Fynn, Paul Mattick and James Clarke were in third place at the half-way mark but faded as Denmark defended their Olympic title. "Right now we feel really down but we did everything we could," said Richard Chambers. "To be honest we had a good race - a good, clean race and it just wasn't good enough." Bookmark with: BBC SPORT | Olympics | Golds fire Britain up medal table Golds fire Britain up medal table Cannot play media. Sorry, this media is not available in your territory. Video - GB rowers win first lightweight gold Britain's sailors, rowers and cyclists won four more gold medals on Sunday to match the team's Saturday surge and reach third in the Olympic medal table.

There were sailing golds for Yngling trio Sarah Ayton, Sarah Webb and Pippa Wilson, and Ben Ainslie in the Finn. Zac Purchase and Mark Hunter took GB's first lightweight rowing gold, and Rebecca Romero won cycling's pursuit. Fellow cyclist Wendy Houvenaghel and two rowing crews claimed silver medals, while gymnast Louis Smith won bronze. One leading sporting figure called it the greatest weekend in British Olympic history. After four golds on both Saturday and Sunday, Team GB's total of 11 golds for the Games moved them above Australia and Germany in the medal table. Cannot play media. Sorry, this media is not available in your territory. GB's Yngling crew storms to success It meant British Olympians had won 25 medals in all, including six silver and eight bronze. With seven days of action still remaining, Team GB have already matched their gold medal tally from Sydney in 2000, where they won 28 medals overall, and exceeded the nine golds from the last Games in Athens, where they finished with an overall haul of 30. Britain have not claimed more than 11 golds in an Olympics since 1920.

If they earn 16 golds or more by the end of the Games, it will mark their best performance in a century. Prime Minister Gordon Brown hailed the "unprecedented" success of Britain's athletes in a statement released by Downing Street. "Eight gold medals and 17 medals in total in one weekend is a superb and unprecedented achievement," said Brown in the statement. "The whole country has been watching and has been thrilled by Team GB. We are immensely proud of what they have achieved so far, and inspired by their performance." 606: DEBATE Salute Britain's golden wonders Lord Moynihan, chairman of the British Olympic Association, paid tribute to "the greatest weekend in British Olympic history", highlighting results in key sports. "We haven't delivered at this level of consistency across some of the sports which I would call the formula one sports for many, many generations," he told BBC World News. Queen Elizabeth II has invited Britain's Olympians to a drinks reception at Buckingham Palace after the Games. A royal spokeswoman said the monarch had been taking "a keen interest" in the Games, and will host a reception for members of the squad on 16 October.

Ayton, Webb and Wilson, in sailing's Yngling class, earned Britain's opening gold medal on Sunday. The crew battled home in first place in their medal race, well ahead of their Dutch rivals, to seal gold. Cannot play media. Sorry, this media is not available in your territory. Video - Ainslie wins third Olympic gold "Winning an Olympic gold medal, you're the best at what you do in the world," said skipper Ayton. "You just can't describe what Sarah and I have been through for the last four years and with Pippa for the last two." Lightweight double sculls duo Purchase and Hunter added gold number two at the rowing, earning Britain's first ever lightweight gold medal by a comfortable distance over Greece. "It's unbelievable," a breathless Purchase told BBC Sport. "We sat down back in October and said we wanted to come here and win this.

"We knew Greece would come back, we had to have a solid middle 1000m to make sure we crossed the line first, and then it was a case of holding on and keeping going." Ainslie claimed Britain's third gold of the day back in Qingdao, keeping US rival Zach Railey at bay to claim the third Olympic gold of his sailing career. "Yesterday the breeze was very light and I couldn't give the American guy any chance to get away from me," said Ainslie afterwards. "Today I was more confident with my speed against his, and my fitness," he added, having crossed the line first in his medal race. Romero picked up gold number four in an all-British women's individual pursuit final at the Laoshan Velodrome, which guaranteed Britain both gold and silver. The former Olympic rowing silver medallist, who swapped sports following Athens 2004, eased past Houvenaghel, who took silver. Cannot play media. Sorry, this media is not available in your territory. Video - Romero wins pursuit gold "It's magical," an elated Romero told BBC Sport. "It's been so hard, I can't explain what I've had to go through.

"I totally believe myself now. I did before, but that was the ultimate. I was facing the demons, I was up against tough opposition, and a week ago it wasn't in me at all." Britain have now won a total of 10 cycling medals, two on the road and eight on the track, with Bradley Wiggins and Chris Hoy both striking gold on Saturday. The women's quad and men's eight added two silver medals to the rowing tally on Sunday, meaning Britain finished the Olympic regatta with two golds, two silvers and two bronze, bettering their conservative target of four medals of any colour. Gymnast Smith rounded off the weekend with a superb performance in the pommel horse to claim bronze for Britain. It was Britain's first gymnastics medal at the Olympics for 80 years. Meanwhile, Team GB chief Simon Clegg insists that while the medal haul has been very impressive so far, there remains another week of competition and focus. "It has been a fantastic week for us - we're all very proud of the team's achievement," Clegg told BBC Sport. "However, we have another seven days of competition and we want to deliver the same level of service and support.

"We don't want any complacency and right now there's not much time for celebration." Further cycling medals are expected and there are hopes of an athletics gold. Christine Ohuruogu was second quickest in qualifying for Tuesday's women's 400m final while Phillips Idowu is favourite for the men's triple jump on Thursday. "The atmosphere in Team GB is awesome," Clegg said. "Everyone is walking tall, walking proud and everyone is feeling that they can step up to the plate." Bookmark with: GB's top 10 gold medal hopefuls - Telegraph GB's top 10 gold medal hopefuls The top ten Britons to watch out for when the Games get underway in Beijing.

Top gear: Bradley Wiggins is the reigning 4km Individual Pursuit champion Photo: Getty Images Mean and moody: Chris Hoy has made a successful switch to sprints Photo: Getty Images Image 1 of 8 Shout to the top: Rebecca Romero is a former Olympic silver medallist in rowing Photo: AP Gold mining: Shanaze Reade is favourite in BMX, the new Olympic sport Photo: Getty Images Flying the flag: Ben Ainslie has already won two Olympic gold medals Photo: AFP Pool prospect: David Davies has come to prominence as a 1500m freestyle specialist Photo: PA Leap of faith: Philips Idowu should win the Triple Jump Photo: Getty Images Image 1 of 8 Going for gold: Zak Purchase and Mark Hunter team up in the lightweight double sculls Photo: Getty Images By Brendan Gallagher 6:40PM BST 07 Aug 2008 BRADLEY WIGGINS (Track Cycling): Age 28. Forget the past: Christine Ohuruogu wants to add an Olympic medal to her World and Commonwealth crown Chinese sign: Monkey.

Already the reigning Olympic and World 4km Individual Pursuit champion, Wiggins, 28, has an outstanding gold medal chances in three events at the Velodrome - the Individual Pursuit, the Team Pursuit and the Madison. If he succeeds he will be the first Briton to win three gold medals at one Olympic Games. Starts competing with IP qualifying on August 15. Gold medal potential: 10 (Track Cycling): Age 32 Chinese sign: The Dragon. The reigning Olympic 1km time trial (kilo) champion, Hoy has made an extraordinarily successful switch to the sprint events after his speciality event was dropped from the Olympic programme and will be a strong contender for two individual gold medals. He will also be the key man in the GB sprint trio. Starts competing on August 15. Gold medal potential: 10 07 Aug 2008 Chinese sign: Monkey. Just gets the nod ahead of sprinter Vicky Pendleton as the British lady most likely to strike gold, although the latter also has excellent prospects. Romero is already a former rowing world champion and Olympic silver medalist in that sport in Athens when she was a member of the women's quad sculls.

Starts competing on August 16. ratingGold medal potential: 10 SHANAZE READE (BMX): Age 19. Chinese sign: The Dragon. BMX (Bicycle Motor Cross) is a new Olympic sport and Reade will be a new name to most general sports followers, but she is arguably Great Britain's strongest favourite for a gold medal in Beijing along with Wiggins. The dynamic young cyclist from Crewe dominated the world of women's BMX cycling, having won numerous world junior championships and the last two senior championships. Qualifying: August 20; Finals round: August 21. ratingGold Medal potential: 10 BEN AINSLIE (Yachting - Finn class): Age 31 Chinese sign: Dragon. Britain's best bet for another sailing gold, along with the Yingling girls Sarah Webb, Sarah Ayton and Pippa Wilson. Ainslie is the only Briton still competing who has two Olympic gold medals to his name. He won gold in the Laser in Sydney and took gold in the heavier Finn class in Athens. He also has a Laser silver from Atlanta 1996.

Gold medal potential: 10 DAVID DAVIES (Swimming): Age 23: Chinese sign: The Ox. Proud Welshman who has come to prominence as a 1500m freestyle specialist winning a bronze medal at the Athens Games and, subsequently, two further bronzes at the World Championships. However, a rejuvenated Grant Hackett, finally back to his best after recurring shoulder problems is still the strong favourite to win a third gold medal in the event. Davies entered the World Championships in Seville in May as a complete novice and won a remarkable silver medal. 1500m final: August 17; 10km Open Water swim: August 20. Gold medal potential: 9 PHILIPS IDOWU (Athletics): Age 29. Chinese sign: The Horse. Great Britain's great athletics hope at the Birds Nest. If he jumps to his potential, Idowu should follow in the footstep of Jonathan Edwards and win the Triple jump.

Unbeaten this year in any competition, he landed a magnificent gold medal at the World Indoor championships in Valencia in March, breaking Edwards' British Indoor record with a jump of 17.75m. Triple jump qualifying: August 18; Final: August 21. Gold Medal potential: 10 CHRISTINE OHURUOGU (Athletics): Age 24. Chinese Sign: The Rat. The reigning World and Commonwealth 400m champion, an event she won in remarkable circumstances in Osaka last year having spent the previous year serving a ban for 'missing' three drug tests. The BOA implemented a ban on he competing at the Olympics, but Ohuruogu's appeal was successful. She has serious hopes of a big medal in Beijing, although America's Jamaican born Sanya Richards will start as marginal favourite. Qualifying round: August 16; s/f: August 17; Final: August 19. Gold medal potential: 9 ZAK PURCHASE and MARK HUNTER (Rowing): Ages 22 and 30. Chinese signs, the Tiger and Horse.

Great Britain have a number of excellent gold medal shouts in the rowing, but it could be that the unheralded pairing of Purchase and Hunter in the Mens lightweight double sculls steal the thunder from the Mens Four and Eight and the Women quadruple scull. Purchase, just 22 is considered the outstanding technician of the younger generation, and Hunter is a seasoned competitor. Gold medal potential: 9 KELLY SOTHERTON (Heptathlon): Age 31. Chinese sign: Dragon. The absence of Sweden's all-conquering Carolina Kluft - who is temporarily taking a break form Hepthathlon and concentpotential on the long jump - gives Sotherton an unexpected chance to challenge for gold in the seven discipline event, which is spread over two exhausting days. She could also yet be required to run a leg in the 4x400m relay. First Day: August 16; Second Day: August 17.

Gold medal potential: 9 Great Britain take four golds | The Independent Great Britain take four golds Sunday 17 August 2008 09:11 BST Click to follow The Independent Online Britain's wonderful weekend in Beijing continued today as Team GB struck gold four times. After Sarah Ayton, Sarah Webb and Pippa Wilson sailed to success in the Yngling regatta, rowers Zac Purchase and Mark Hunter stormed to a gold medal in the lightweight double sculls. The jubilation went on as sailing great Ben Ainslie clinched a gold medal for the third consecutive games after winning the Finn regatta race. It took Team GB's gold tally to double figures. Rebecca Romero became the first British woman to win medals in two different summer Olympic sports when she beat her team mate Wendy Houvenaghel to win gold in the women's 3-km individual pursuit cycling on Sunday. After crossing the finish line Romero rode up to the stands, took a Union Jack and rode a victory lap then collapsed in tears and exchanged hugs with people in the stands.

In what amounted to a two-horse race for the gold against the Netherlands in the Yngling class, Team GB came home in first place for the first time in the regatta. Webb, who also won a gold in Athens four years ago, said she was speechless. The 31-year-old, from Weybridge, Surrey, said: "I'm lost for words, it is such a relief. Our experience was everything, we stayed sure and we got better." It was also a repeat success for Ayton, 28, from Ashford, Middlesex. She added: "It's been brilliant, this campaign has been about pure perfection and we're just an awesome team." The success on the water continued shortly after as Hunter and Purchase lived up to their billing as favourites for top spot. Roared on by the crowd, Purchase, 22, from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, and Hunter beat world silver medallists Greece by half a length, with world champions Denmark third. Hunter's father, Terry, watched in tears from the sidelines as his 30-year-old son raced home.

Mr Hunter, from London, told BBC Sport: "He has worked for this for 15 years - since he was aged 15. "I remember him getting his first international shirt - now he has a gold." Within half-an-hour Britain continued a memorable morning when Ainslie, 31, from Macclesfield, thrashed the opposition in his race. Ainslie, who first won a medal in Atlanta in 1996, said his parents were at home watching on television. "It is a shame they were weren't here but huge thanks to them," he told the BBC. He said he hoped to bid for another medal at London 2012. The success came after a painful start to the day when a tearful Paula Radcliffe finished the women's marathon in Beijing today in 23rd place. The world record-holder was forced to stop two hours and 14 minutes into the race clearly struggling with the injured thigh that had threatened to prevent her competing. Team-mate Mara Yamauchi came sixth, equalling the best ever performance by a British athlete in an Olympic women's marathon.

Radcliffe, whose stress fracture injury disrupted preparations for the race, fought back tears as she told reporters: "Fingers crossed for 2012." More about: Olympics 2008: British Glory | Pictures | Pics | Daily Express Olympics 2008: British Glory The three medallists in the kayak single 500-metre men's final The three medallists in the kayak single 500-metre men's final Australia's Ken Wallace, right, is congratulated by Great Britain's Tim Brabants Brabants shows off his gold medal Paddling to Olympic glory Tim gets a congratulatory kiss Dr Tim Brabants wins gold GB's Tim Brabants reacts after winning the kayak single K1 1000M men's race Idowu won the silver medal Britain's Phillips Idowu competes in the men's triple jump final The sailing duo celebrate with their medals Great Britain's duo of Iain Percy and Andrew Simpson celebrate after winning a Gold Medal David Davies celebrates his silver medal David Davies battles it out in the 10km Open Water race Danvers celebrates winning bronze Danvers congratulates gold medalist Melanie Walke from Jamaica Great Britain's Natasha Danvers on her way

 to winning the Bronze Medal in the Women's 400m hurdles final Keri-Ann Payne (left) with her silver medal and Cassie Patten with her bronze Cassandra Patten celebrates finishing third in the 10km swim Keri-Ann Payne in action in the gruelling women's 10km swimming marathon Shaw hauls herself to a bronze medal Windsurfer Bryony Shaw gets a kiss from boyfriend Greg King after winning a bronze medal in the RS:X final Fans go wild as they watch the cycling at The Laoshan Velodrome Great Britain's gold medal winners to date (August 20) Christine Ohuruogu storms to gold in the Women's 400 metres, ahead of Yulia Gushchina (left) and Tatian Firova (right) So proud: Christine Ohuruogu with her gold Another race, another British gold medal...this time for Christine Ohuruogu Golden girl Christine Ohuruogu beams with delight Christine Ohuruogu proudly poses with her Gold Medal won in the Women's 400 metres Christine Ohuruogu celebrates her Gold Medal in the Women's 400 metres Britain's Christine Ohuruogu crosses the finish line to win

 gold in the women's 400-metre final Germaine Mason celebrates his silver medal in the high jump Germaine Mason celebrates a successful high jump in the competition Victoria Pendleton celebrates winning her gold medal in the women's sprint final Great Britain's Chris Hoy celebrates winning gold in the men's sprint final at the Laoshan Velodrome Paul Goodison has a kiss from his girlfriend, 470 Olympian Saskia Clark Paul Goodison celebrates with his gold medal Great Britain's Paul Goodison celebrates winning a gold medal in the men's Laser class Great Britain's Team members (L to R) Paul Manning, Ed Clancy, Geraint Thomas and Bradley Wiggins with their Gold Medals The team on their way to victory Great Britain's Team Pursuit on the way to a Gold Medal and new World Record Great Britain's 470 sailors Joe Glanfield (left) and Nick Rogers celebrate their Silver medal following their final class race during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games' Sailing Centre Great Britain's 470 men Joe Glanfield (left) and Nick Rogers run down to the finish line to secure their Silver medal during their final class race during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games' S

ailing Centre Great Britain's Louis Smith celebrates his bronze medal following the Men's Pommel Horse individual event at the National Indoor Stadium Great Britain's Louis Smith on his way to a bronze medal during the Men's Pommel Horse individual event at the National Indoor Stadium Great Britain's Ben Ainslie celebrates winning a gold medal in the Finn class at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games' Sailing Centre Great Britain's Finn sailor Ben Ainslie on his way to winning his third Olympic Gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games' Sailing Centre Great Britain's (from left) Annie Vernon, Debbie Flood, Frances Houghton and Katherine Grainger stand with the silver medals they won in the Women's Quadruple Sculls Great Britain's Mark Hunter (left) and Zac Purchase celebrate winning a gold in the Men's lightweight sculls final at the Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park Great Britain's Mark Hunter (left) and Zac Purchase celebrate winning a gold in the Men's lightweight sculls final at the Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park Great Britain's Rebecca Romero after receiving the Gold Medal for the Women's Individual Pursuit at the Laoshan Velodrome Great Britain's Rebecca Romero on her

 way to winning the Gold Medal in the Women's Individual Pursuit at the Laoshan Velodrome Great Britain's Chris Newton celebrates with his Bronze Medal in the Men's Points Race at Laoshan Velodrome On the crest of a wave ...

Great Britain's Yngling girls, from left, Sarah Ayton, Sarah Webb and Pippa Wilson celebrate their Gold Medal Great Britain's Yngling girls, from left, Sarah Ayton, Sarah Webb and Pippa Wilson, celebrate their Gold Medal in the Olympic sailing competition off Qingdao, China Great Britain's Chris Hoy celebrates winning the Gold Medal in the Men's Keirin with a kiss for his girlfriend Sarra at the track Cycling Course Great Britain's Bradley Wiggins (left) and Chris Hoy (right) with the Gold Medals they won in the Individual Pursuit and Mens Keirin at the track Cycling Course at the Laoshan Velodrome Great Britain's Chris Hoy (back) celebrates winning the Gold Medal in the Men's Keirin with Silver Medal Winner Ross Edgar at the track Cycling Course at the Laoshan Velodrome Great Britain's Bradley Wiggens (left) and Steve Burke celebrate winning the Gold and Bronze medals in the Men's Individual Sprintat the track Cycling Course at the Laoshan Velodrome Great Britain's Bradley Wiggens celebrates winning the Gold Medal in the Men's Individual Sprint at the track Cycling Course at the Laoshan Velodrome Great Britain's Anna Bebington and El

ise Laverick (right) celebrate their bronze medals in the Womans Double Sculls final at the Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park Great Britain's rowers (from left) Andrew Triggs Hodge, Tom James, Steve Williams and Pete Reed, show off their medals after winning gold in the men's four final at the Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park Great Britain's rowers (from left) Pete Reed, Steve Williams and Tom James react after winning gold in the men's coxless fours at the Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park Rebecca Adlington celebrates with her second gold medal Great Britain's Rebecca Adlington celebrates her second gold medal of the Beijing Games Great Britain's Rebecca Adlington celebrates her second gold medal of the Beijing Games with victory in the women's 800m freestyle in a world-record time of 8:14.10 Celebrating their victory.

From Beijing to London 2012: Where are Britain's gold medal winners? | Sport | The Guardian From Beijing to London 2012: Where are Britain's gold medal winners? How the past four years have unfolded for Britain's 27 champions from the last Olympic Games From left, Andrew Triggs Hodge, Tom James, Steve Williams and Pete Reed celebrate gold at the Beijing Olympics. Photograph: Vladimir Rys/Bongarts/Getty Images Tuesday 24 July 2012 18.02 EDT First published on Tuesday 24 July 2012 18.02 EDT Tom James Rowing Coxless four The Cambridge engineering graduate took a year off after the 2008 Games to run the London marathon, coach and do charity work. In 2010 he missed most of the season with a back injury as well as discovering he suffers from an abnormal heart rhythm. Things improved and in 2011, the four, comprising James, Alex Gregory, Ric Egington and Matt Langridge, won world gold. Only James and Gregory have kept their places in the four for London with Pete Reed and Andy Triggs-Hodge coming in.

Iain Percy Sailing Star class Percy had already won Olympic gold at Sydney 2000 when he and Simpson won the Star Class in Beijing. After China he and Simpson joined Team Origin, captained by Ben Ainslie, which aimed to compete in the 2013 America's Cup but Percy and Simpson retrained their sights on defending their Olympic title when Team Origin withdrew. Percy, 36, and the oldest member of the British sailing squad, is now fully fit after missing last year's world championships with a back problem. Bradley Wiggins Cycling Individual pursuit, team pursuit Wiggins will go into London 2012 as favourite to win the time-trial after becoming the first British rider to win the Tour de France. After Beijing he signed for Garmin-Slipstream, finishing fourth in his first Tour before moving to Team Sky and recording back-to-back wins in the Dauphiné. He will also compete in the road race in London. Ben Ainslie Sailing Finn class Britain's most successful Olympic sailor, Ainslie won his third gold in a row in Beijing and will be aiming for No4 at the London Games in the Finn class.

Made a CBE following his success in China, Ainslie was the first person to carry the Olympic torch in the UK this year. The 35-year-old has battled through a difficult period that saw him disqualified from last year's world championships for threatening a photographer. He goes into the Olympics as this year's world champion. Victoria Pendleton Cycling Sprint Pendleton's rivalry with the Australian Anna Meares, whom she beat in the sprint in Beijing, continues into London 2012, with the latest instalment, at the world championships this spring, won by Pendleton. After Beijing the British rider pursued her interest in fashion, appearing for Stella McCartney at London Fashion Week. She struggled in 2011, was told to work harder by the British performance director, Dave Brailsford, and returned to form this year to defend her sprint title and compete in the team sprint and keirin in London. Christine Ohuruogu Athletics 400m Britain's only reigning Olympic champion in track and field, Ohuruogu was British Olympic Association athlete of the year in 2008 and was awarded an honorary doctorate in 2009 by the University of East London.

Since Beijing she has suffered from injury and a loss of form and was disqualified in her heat at last year's world championships. But a defeat of the world champion Amantle Montsho at the Aviva London Grand Prix this month has raised hope she is back to her best. Ed Clancy Cycling Team pursuit Clancy's success made a star of his mum, Cathy, a primary school teacher, whose pupils covered her classroom with pictures of her cycling son. Clancy admitted he struggled for motivation after Beijing as GB's performances slipped. Along with Geraint Thomas, another surviving member of the 2008 quartet, he will compete in the men's pursuit team – back on track after beating Australia in April – and will also represent Britain in the men's omnium at the Olympics. Andrew Simpson Sailing Star class Since the open-top bus parade that welcomed Simpson and four other sailors back to Weymouth – "We're sailors, we're not like footballers, we never expect anything like this," – Simpson has continued his partnership with Iain Percy, his childhood friend, who was best man at his wedding in 2009.

This year, as they aim to defend their Olympic title, they have traded places at the top of the World Cup circuit standings with the Brazilians Robert Scheidt and Bruno Prada, who won silver in Bejiing. Sir Chris Hoy Cycling Sprint, team sprint, keirin Having carried the British team flag at the closing ceremony in Beijing, Hoy, the team's most successful athlete in China, was the unanimous choice to bear the flag at the opening ceremony for London 2012. In 2008 he won sports personality of the year while in 2009 he was made a knight. He also secured a deal to promote Kelloggs Bran Flakes. Since Beijing he has won four world championship gold medals. Now 36, he will compete in the keirin and the team sprint but not the individual sprint. Andrew Triggs-Hodge Rowing Coxless fours After the success of Beijing Triggs Hodge, alongside his team-mate Pete Reed, switched to the men's coxless pair, where they came runners-up in the world championship three times in a row from 2009 to 2011, behind the New Zealand pair each time.

Like the rest of the successful men's coxless four Triggs Hodge was awarded an MBE in 2009. He also finished his masters in water science, policy and management. Triggs Hodge and Reed have returned to the four for London 2012. Geraint Thomas Cycling Team pursuit The year after Beijing Thomas left his professional racing team, Barloworld, to join Team Sky. He also appeared alongside other 2008 Olympic cyclists, Clancy, Kenny and Staff, at a concert by German instrumentalists Kraftwerk at the Manchester Velodrome. Skipped this year's Tour de France in preparation for the 2012 Games where he will defend the pursuit title with the British team, who are the current world champions. Currently starring in the ad campaign for the new Fiat Punto. Rebecca Adlington Swimming 400m, 800m freestyle Britain's most successful Olympic swimmer was awarded an OBE and the freedom of Mansfield and had the Sherwood baths, a local pub in her home town and a javelin train named after her at the age of 19.

Her form dipped after Beijing and she came fourth in the 800m at the 2009 world championships, admitting: "I let the pressure get to me." But at the 2010 Commonwealth Games she repeated her Beijing success. In 2011 she became Britain's first freestyle world champion. Pete Reed Rowing Coxless four Reed was meant to return to his post as a lieutenant in the Royal Navy after his success in the coxless four in Beijing but after receiving "overwhelming support from the most senior admirals in the service" he was able to continue training for London 2012. Featured with Andy Triggs Hodge in the pair until this summer's World Cup season when they joined the coxless four. They won gold at both the Lucerne and Belgrade World Cup meets but lost to the Australian boat in Munich. Paul Goodison Sailing Laser class Before the 2008 Games were finished a brewer near Sheffield had launched a beer called Goodison's Gold, stocked in 11 local pubs. "When a man born in Sheffield wins gold at the Olympics it has to be something worth celebrating," the brewery said.

A Sheffield United fan, Goodison was invited on to the pitch before a game. He lives in Weymouth, the Olympic sailing venue, with fellow sailor Saskia Clark, and won a battle with his British rival Nick Thompson to defend his title at London 2012. Sarah Ayton Sailing Yngling class Ayton was made an OBE after her second Olympic gold in 2008. She married the Olympic windsurfer Nick Dempsey two months after Beijing and had their first child, Thomas, the following year. She returned to competition in 2010, aiming for London 2012 in the 470 class, but retired a year later, saying she could not commit to the sport and be a full-time mum. She is mentoring young members of Team GB ahead of the London Olympics, works as a motivational speaker and is a patron of Meningitis UK. Tim Brabants Canoe sprint K1 1000m Brabants won Britain's first ever gold in canoeing in Beijing but took an 18-month break after the Games to return to his medical career in A&E at the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham.

He returned to the sport in early 2010 aiming to reach his fourth Olympics. Selection was not easy, however. Paul Wycherley was chosen for Britain at last year's world championships and Brabants had to beat Wycherley in two out of three World Cup meetings this summer to compete in London. Sarah Webb Sailing Yngling class Having won gold alongside Ayton in 2004 and also received an MBE at the time, the pair formed a new Yngling Team with Pippa Wilson for 2008. Webb then received an OBE when the trio won gold in Beijing. After the success Webb decided to retire from sailing to concentrate on her family and a different career. Now Sarah Gosling, she has started her own consulting company and begun work in the media. She also gives corporate motivational talks. Gosling will be a volunteer at London 2012.

Pippa Wilson Sailing Yngling class While the two other two members of her crew have retired from sailing and with the yngling class being replaced by the Elliott 6m for London 2012, the youngest member of the gold-winning trio from Beijing decided to take an indefinite break from sailing from January 2010, spending some time travelling. For the London Games, Wilson, 26, will be taking up a position as a commentator for BBC radio on the sailing alongside Juliette Ferrington. James DeGale Boxing Middleweight DeGale, from Harlesden, London, turned professional in December 2008. Soon after he stripped for a photo shoot, and told Cosmopolitan magazine about the social benefits of winning Olympic gold: "I am not being big-headed. I used to get birds before I went to Beijing, but when I won Olympic gold it went up. And when I turned pro, it went up even more." Current European super-middleweight champion. Jason Kenny Cycling Team sprint The Bolton cyclist was 20 in Beijing when he came away with a gold in the team sprint and a surprise silver in the individual race behind Chris Hoy.

Kenny won the 2011 world sprint crown – after Grégory Baugé lost his title for infringing anti-doping rules – and finished second to the Frenchman the following year having beaten Hoy in the semi-finals. He has been picked ahead of Hoy to contest the sprint at London 2012. Mark Hunter Rowing Lightweight double sculls Hunter took a year off to work as an assistant coach to the women's rowing team at UCLA in California after winning Great Britain's first ever lightweight medal and Olympic gold alongside Zac Purchase. Hunter missed competing while he was in the United States and returned to Britain in 2009 with the aim of reaching London 2012. The duo won the world championship in 2010 and 2011 andon a personal level Hunter was made an MBE and awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science from the University of East London. Jamie Staff Cycling Team sprint The former World BMX champion was the third member of the men's sprint team and was made an MBE in the 2009 New Year Honours list.

He was also part of the team that won silver in the team sprint at the World Track Championships that same year before a back injury made him take the decision to retire from cycling in 2010 at 36 and move to the United States with his American wife. Since then he has become the director of USA cycling's track sprint programme. Zac Purchase Rowing Lightweight double sculls While his rowing partner was in California Purchase spent his year off after winning gold partying and "burning the candle at both ends" in his words. In 2011 he was diagnosed with post-viral fatigue. He returned to training only six weeks before the world championships in Bled that year but he and Hunter still snatched the gold medal. This summer's World Cup series began with gold in Belgrade but fifth- and sixth-place finishes followed in the run-up to London. Paul Manning Cycling Team pursuit Manning, who won team pursuit silver in Athens in 2004, went one better with the British quartet in Beijing as they won gold while breaking the world record and immediately announced his retirement.

He joined ISG – the company building the 2012 velodrome – as an assistant construction manager, before coming back into the sport in 2009 first as endurance coach of the Under-23 squad, and now as endurance coach of the women's senior team. Nicole Cooke Cycling Road race After taking gold in Beijing, Cooke won the World Championship road race in the same year, making her the first woman to hold the two titles simultaneously. Since then, her career has stalled – the professional road race team that she set up, Vision1, collapsed and she has not won a race since 2009. Cooke, who was sixth in this year's British road race championships, will compete at London 2012 but is expected to act as a support rider for current British No1 Lizzie Armitstead. Steve Williams Rowing Coxless four A year and a half after winning gold in China when the four made an epic push to the line to overhaul the Australians, the Leamington Spa-born rower decided to call time on a career in which he had won consecutive Olympic golds and four world championship titles.

Since then he has walked to the North Pole and climbed Mount Everest with the former Wales rugby union international Richard Parks and earlier this month the 36-year-old was appointed a fitness consultant to Ipswich Town FC. Rebecca Romero Cycling Individual pursuit Romero's track gold meant she became the first Briton to win Olympic medals in different events, having won rowing silver in 2004. Her event was dropped from the 2012 Games and while she tried the time-trial, she withdrew from British cycling's programme in October last year. Tried to cycle from Land's End to John O'Groats on a tandem with rower James Cracknell in 2009, but abandoned the journey after 505 miles on medical advice. Romero has now turned to triathlon and is creating a "high performance sports consultancy service".

Question: In the 2008 Olympics, Mark Hunter won a gold medal in which sport?
Answer: ROWING